Rolex

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT ROLEX - PAGE 4

If poverty, an unhappy childhood or being dropped on my head as an infant had forced me into a life of crime, I know what my racket would be. I would have specialized in stealing Rolex watches from the wrists of those who flaunt them. Why the Rolex watch? Because of all the ostentatious products that are available in our materialistic society, the Rolex watch is the most offensive to me. By stealing them, I would be able to engage in a life of crime while still having no pangs of conscience.

Former Honda executives convicted: Two former American Honda Motor Co. executives accused of accepting kickbacks in a nationwide scam were convicted Thursday in federal court in Concord. N.H. Dennis Josleyn, former West Coast Honda sales manager, and John Billmyer, former senior vice president, were found guilty of taking bribes from dealers in return for sought-after cars and dealerships. Both were convicted of receiving $15 million in Rolex watches, fur coats, Mercedes-Benzes, furniture, pricey business suits and college tuition from dealers in more than 30 states.

For many North Shore residents, the placard outside a new Wilmette store must be a surprising, if not worrisome, sign of the times. It reads Pawn Shoppe-and we're not talking chess pieces here. "People are sometimes a little shocked to see a pawn shop in Wilmette," says owner Edwin Gunn. "But even successful people need extra money now and then ... and this is no junkyard shop either." Indeed. The shop is clean and uncluttered, and the goods being offered for sale are decidedly upscale.

* Armani wants to avoid leaving problems for his successors * Foundation could be similar to that behind Rolex * No plans to list but IPOs "whet (Armani's) appetite" By Isla Binnie MILAN, Jan 13 (Reuters) - Giorgio Armani is studying the possibility of creating a foundation to protect the future of his fashion empire, the Italian designer and businessman said on Monday. "I am paying a lot of attention to the possibility ... I don't want to leave problems for the people who come after me," Armani, who turns 80 this year, said after showing an autumn-winter menswear collection in Milan.

No one has a better feel for the pulsebeat of the economy than the Tribune columnist and financial editor, William Neikirk. In particular, his Jan. 22 piece tells us exactly what's happening with the fast-buck option and commodity traders.The stock market itself is a dangerous enough trap for the average investor. The other two exchanges exist for the sole purpose of lining the traders` pockets and draping their wrists with obligatory Rolex watches. They have finally proved that not only is there room for bulls and bears, but also for colorfully jacketed pigs in the markets.

Two women who allegedly sold fake-brand watches and handbags from their homes in Lake County have been indicted by a county grand jury. In what has been called "Operation Wristwatch," Kallie Jakubik, 52, and Marcia Wilks, 45, have been charged with unauthorized use of a trademark. Jakubik allegedly used her home in Riverwoods to peddle goods with counterfeit Rolex, Chanel and Fendi trademarks. Wilks did the same at her home in Libertyville, the grand jury charged. George Strickland, an assistant state's attorney, said the two homes were searched Jan. 17 after an investigation by his office, the sheriff's office and private detectives.

The newly opened Baryshnikov Arts Center in Hell's Kitchen serves as a playground and magnet for artists across disciplines and generations. It hosts informal showings and donates its large studios overlooking the Hudson to young choreographers, who make pieces for even younger dancers. Mikhail Baryshnikov in turn takes them on tour and makes sure they get paid. This month, it is given over to 22 recent graduates from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, who, with the guidance of theater director JoAnne Akalaitis, will create whatever they want.

Kristine Lilly scored two goals and Mia Hamm and Michelle Akers also scored to give the U.S. women's soccer team a 6-0 victory over Portugal in an exhibition match Saturday. The U.S. team broke open the match with four second-half goals as Portugal gradually was worn down by constant U.S. pressure before a crowd of 5,152 at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. A final shot count of 38-1 demonstrated the U.S. dominance in its second of 19 matches leading to the Women's World Cup June 19-July 10. Auto racing: The Ferrari 333SP Can-Am of Wayne Taylor, Allan McNish, Max Angelelli and Didier da Radiques and the Riley & Scott Ford crew of former Rolex winners Andy Wallace, Elliott-Forbes Robinson, Butch Leitzinger and car owner Rob Dyson were battling at the front of the pack halfway through the Rolex 24 at Daytona Beach, Fla. - Raul Boesel, whose full-time ride is in the Indy Racing League, has been signed to replace Paul Tracy in the season-opening race for the rival CART series.

I strongly urge Jim Edgar to veto any gaming legislation which would allow casino gambling in the city of Chicago. After 31 years as a member of the Chicago Police Department, I moved to Nevada and it's really great. Our taxes are low due to gaming, but the price is high. I went to work as an investigator for one of the premium hotel casinos in Nevada. Eight years was enough. In those years I witnessed the evils of gambling. You get called up to a suite and find a businessman who has blown his brains out after he had lost the store.

More than 60 watches with a total value as high as $93,550 were stolen this week from two Schaumburg jewelers, police said Wednesday. Police responding to a burglar alarm about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday found a door pried open and a display case forced open at Wyatt Austin Jewelers, 2505 W. Schaumburg Rd., authorities said. Store officials later told authorities that 64 Movado watches valued at $55,000 to $60,000 were missing. Managers of a C.D.Peacock store at Woodfield Mall told police two watches with a combined value of $33,550 were stolen when someone pried open a display case Monday.